The Isle of Man plays host to the 33rd edition of the Celtic Match Races this weekend at Jurby Motordrome, the 10th on home soil.

The Manx won the inaugural event at Jurby in 1979, and have since added wins in 1983, 1991, 1994, 2002 and 2010.

Ireland are well clear overall with a runaway tally of 17 wins, with Scotland second on seven, Isle of Man six, Wales three. Cornwall contested the early editions, but never managed to field a strong full team.

Newly-crowned IoM Solo Centre ACU road race champion Rory Parker leads the home team in the open class alongside Marcus Simpson on a new 1000cc BMW, with Illiam Quayle as reserve.

The Supersport/Next Generation pairings is Kyle Casement and team captain Ryan Cringle, reserve Alex Galloway; Supertwin/Sportbike: Francesco Faraldo and Aron Redmond, reserve Dale Brew; Pre-Injection 600: Lex Geval and Maxx Jones, reserve Jack Meechan; CB500: Tommo Burnett and Ozzy Madey, reserve Spencer Baker; Open 500: Sean Crone and Paul Cassidy, reserve Paul Metcalfe; Junior Supersport: Euan Bainborough and George Cowie, reserve Toby Melvin; Sidecars: Ryan and Callum Crowe, Darren Hope and Paul Bumfrey, Craig Melvin and Jake Roberts, Stu Bainborough and Will Beal.

A Classic Superbike class has been added this year, with Mikey Evans and Paul Cassidy backed up by Lex Geval as reserve.

Scotland won at East Fortune last year so will be hoping to defend the title, but perhaps the closest challengers to the home side will be Ireland.

Mark Hewitt will captain the Irish team, with experienced former TT regular Derek Sheils vice-captain; Supersport/Next Gen 600: Caolan Irwin and Adam Brown; Pre-Injection: Conor McDonnell and Richie Hyland; CB500: Conor McDonnell; Supertwin: Michael Gillan; Open 500: Ruben Sherman Boyd and Hubert Tomasezski; Junior SS300: Sherman Boyd and Paudie O’Malley; Classic Superbike: Stephen Magill and Mick Prendergast; Sidecars: Mick Donovan/Mark Gash, Derek Lynch/Anto McDonnell, Ryan Dineen/Calvin Brown, Tony Willis/Ian Harron.

A practice day will take place on Friday so that all riders can learn the track both ways round.

Each day over the weekend will have two races for each class, with riders using the same 1.7-mile track but in opposite directions, one day will be clockwise, the next day anti-clockwise.

The overall winners will receive a replica Celtic Sword of Honour.

Alongside the Celtic Match Races there will be a full programme of support races open to other competitors, giving riders who aren’t part of the national teams the opportunity to also sample the course and enjoy some racing of their own.

CIRCUIT OF MANN

The Circuit of Mann off-road event has a big entry of 135 solos and five sidecars this weekend.

Hosted by Ramsey MCC, it will again be based at the Mountain View Innovation Centre, where riders/officials sign on will take place on Friday evening.

The solo class forms the concluding round of the ACU British Bike Rally Championship, while the three-wheel event is a round of the ACU British Sidecar Enduro Championship.

There will be one big loop of around two thirds of the island each morning, followed by a half-lap with timed tests at a stubblefield on the Sulby Bridge/St Jude’s Road and Tholt-y-Will plantation.

The start both days from the Innovation Centre on Jurby Road will be at 10am.

JOHN WATTERSON